CLEVELAND Peninsula AKRON Dalton Canal Fulton Apple Creek Massillon Glenmont Millersburg Mount Vernon Killbuck Danville Galena Centerburg Westerville South London Charleston COLUMBUS Georgesville Xenia Cedarville Corwin Spring Valley Loveland Morrow CINCINNATI Milford Ohio to Erie Trail Fall 2017 Newsletter #56 Progress Planned on the OTET To help fill this gap in the Ohio to Erie Trail, contribute online at www.fmcpt.com, or send a check to: FMCPT, P.O. Box 308, London, Ohio 43140. At the time of publication, an ODNR Clean Ohio Trails Fund grant for this segment is pending. The Village of Galena has applied for Clean Ohio Trails funding (approval pending at the time of pub- lication) to continue construction of the trail on the north side of Galena (Phase 2), starting at Holmes St. OTETF has pledged $13,500 for this 1,775 linear feet of (l-r) OTET Executive Coordinator Lisa Daris; Brian Boldman, Execu- paved multi-use trail. tive VP of Stanley Electric US, Mike Michaels, President of Friends of Madison County Parks and Trail (FMCPT); Bill Dean, State Represen- tative, District 74; Patrick Closser, Mayor of City of London; Madison The Orrville Heartland Trail has applied for County; Bob Hacket, State Senator, District 10, and Bryan Dhume, Clean Ohio Trail funding (approval pending at the time Madison County Engineer (Photo credit: Michael Williamson of the of publication) to build a 2.4 mile trail between Orville Madison Press) and Marshallville. OTETF has pledged $15,000 towards this new section which, once connected, will become Madison County - Groundbreaking for a new part of the OTET. section of the trail between Maple and Walnut Streets in London took place on September 7, 2017. OTETF has pledged $7,800 (10%) of the construction costs for this segment in London, scheduled to be completed in 2018. www.ohiotoerietrail.org facebook.com/OhiotoErie Fall/Winter 2017 Newsletter #56 A Celebration in Glenmont New Mileage Marker Signs Thanks to the years of the easy 2% grade to strategic points along 1 South & West North & East 1 OHIO Route 1. New signs will hard work by OTETF the top of Baddow Pass OHIO Ohio to Erie Trail Ohio to Erie Trail Ohio to Erie Ohio to Erie Trail Ohio to Erie OHIO OHIO Little Miami Trail Little Miami Trail Little Miami Trail Little Miami Trail go up in Galena at the Board Member Tom and then the descent OHIO Beechmont Little Miami Trail 4.2 mi Milford Levy (end of Trail) Alexander of Glenmont down another 3.5 miles OHIO end of the Galena Brick Mariemont Ohio to Erie Trail 2 mi 3.2 mi Lunken Airport Miamiville Trail in the parking lot; and the Holmes County into Glenmont as you & Ohio River OHIO Trail Board, the 7 mile head south to north. A Trail Ohio to Erie Trail 6.7 mi 9.2 mi three signs along the Downtown OHIO Loveland Cincinnati Ohio to Erie Trail segment at the southern welcoming trail head All Services 12 mi 12 mi Heart of Ohio Trail in end of the Trail maintained by Great Parks of Hamilton County Trail maintained by Great Parks of Hamilton County Knox County including Holmes Centerburg and Mount County Vernon; and one sign in The OTETF Board Trail was Avoca Park of Great Parks opened the approved the expendi- of Hamilton County. All first of this ture of $8,000 to add five five signs will be installed September new wayfinding signs at before spring of 2018. just in time for is under construction the 2017 OTET Annual and will include a shel- Adventure Cyclists to ter, picnic tables and experience this beautiful restroom facilities. part of Route 1. Cyclists Glenmont has a grocery and hikers are enjoying store and a restaurant. Dr. Thomas Moffitt III, 1948-2017 It is with deep sadness ations of trail users. Tom and a heavy heart we was a devoted educator announce the sudden in the greater Cincinnati and unexpected pass- area for over 45 years ing of OTETF Board of and as many of you may Directors President Tom know an avid cyclist. He Moffitt. Tom passionately completed several cross served as Board President county rides and rode the for over 16 years and entire length of the Ohio worked tirelessly to fulfill to Erie Trail a number of Ed Honton’s vision of a times including this past multi-purpose cross state September. Tom will be #OH2ERIE trail/greenway. Tom’s greatly missed by all who Congratulations to Joshua Autism Speaks. It received leadership and enthu- knew him. Godby, the winner of the the most likes on the siasm in working with Ride in Peace Tom. #OH2ERIE image contest. social media channels, local agencies and trail The image shown above winning Josh an offi- organizations to complete To view obituary: http:// shows Josh during his cial OTET jersey. A very the Ohio to Erie Trail will www.hodappfuneralhome. 9-day trip as he raised deserving winner! forever be appreciated by com/obituary/dr-thomas- awareness and funds for present and future gener- l-moffitt-iii/ page 2 Fall/Winter 2017 Newsletter #56 OTET Adventure Ride Announcement Next year’s seven-day, registration, ranging from Day 4: (41 miles) six-night Ohio to Erie $500 to $650. Destination: Amish Trail bicycle ride is set for Country to historic September 8-14, 2018. Half rides from Cincinnati Millersburg, Reservations can be to Columbus: $225 Comfort Inn made through our web Columbus to Cleveland: Day 5: (38 miles) site at OhioToErieTrail.org $350 Destination: beginning in December. A unique aspect of this Massillon, New this year are half ride is that much of the Hampton Inn Riders of the 2017 Adventure Ride at rides from Cincinnati to costs are considered Sunbury’s Johnny Appleseed statue Day 6: (30 miles) Columbus and Columbus to be tax-deductable Destination: memorials, and shops. The to Cleveland. DONATIONS. After the Downtown Akron Marriott grand finale is a shared Tour Capacity: ride, the cost to produce Courtyard lunch celebration at the 40 riders the ride per individual is Edgewater Yacht Club. then subtracted from the This leisurely day allows for Daily Mileage: amount each participant stops along the Canal Path Ranges between 30 to 67, Return Transportation: donated. Riders receive a including our trail partner beginner to intermediate Available for a small fee to letter stating how much of bike shop, Ernie’s. level. Shorter days allow Columbus or Cincinnati. their payment was applied for a more leisurely ride, Optional: Venture into the Half tour riders who ride without services or goods additional miles on other Cuyahoga National Park Cincinnati to Columbus given in return. For exam trails, or site-seeing along - and ride the scenic train must provide their own the way. ple, riders in 2018 ended back to Akron. transporation back to up donating about 2/3 of Cincinnati. Terrain: their ride cost. Day 7: (40 miles) Cancellation Fees: Trail surfaces are fine for Destination: Lake Erie, Food and lodging are paid $100 until July 1 road bikes, hybrids and Cleveland mountain bikes. While 90% for by participants. $150 after July 1 of the trail is essentially Riders travel through the Weather: flat, there are some hills Cuyahoga Valley National For more information, September in Ohio is along the way but none Park, the ONLY National access our website typically dry with temps that are too long to just Park in Ohio. There is time or contact Tom at ranging from morning lows enjoy walking. to visit museum centers, [email protected]. of 45-55° to afternoons of Overnight Lodging: 70-80°. Riders stay at hotels at Itinerary: OTET Merchandise for the Holidays special rates. Day 1 (67 miles): Got a fan of the OTET on SAG (Support and Gear): Start in downtown your holiday list? Have Fully supported with a Cincinnati at Smale Park on they been naughty or luggage/bike vehicle, the Ohio River. nice? Either way, make mechanic and OTET staff. Destination: Xenia, Ramada sure they start the 2018 Participants only need to Inn season off with style! carry what they will need Day 2: (59 miles) Order an official OTET for the day. Support stops Destination: Downtown jersey or sticker for them. are about every 15 miles Columbus, Red Roof Inn Look for t-shirts to come with water and snacks. soon. Day 3: (51 miles) Pricing: Destination: Mt. Vernon, The cost is variable, the Grand Hotel depending on the date of page 3 Fall/Winter 2017 Newsletter #56 THE 326 CLUB OTET E-Bike Policy The 326 Club includes more than 70 people that have cycled, hiked, or other- The controversy to allow or not wise traveled the entire length of the Ohio to Erie Trail in a single trip since allow electric assist bicycles 2016. If you qualify for the 326 Club, please let us know and we’ll add your on recreational trails in the name and home state to the webpage. Meet two of its newest members below! state of Ohio is a very compli- cated one. As our population ages, there are many outdoor enthusiasts who love to experi- ence the trails but simply need a little support from the new electric assist bicycles. Two individuals used their assist bikes on the Annual OTET Adventure Rides in the past two years, and without, neither individual would have been able to take part. The OTETF Board of Directors recommend a compromise that ensures Name: Nicole Name: Leslie trail safety while also allowing those who need support to use Age: 32 Age: 54 electric assist bikes. The Board supports local trail partners Trail Experience: Biked all 326 Trail Experience: Biked all 326 who limit and monitor the use miles in 2 days, flip-flop style miles in 6 days as a participant on of e-bikes.